“I tell you, her sins—and they are many—have been forgiven, so she has shown me much love. But a person who is forgiven little shows only little love.”

As I read this scripture this morning, it struck me as a parent. As I work to grow kids into Godly adults, I wonder if I am doing a good enough job in this area of forgiving much.

I will be honest forgiving is not something I am strong at. But then if I am being really honest, I have struggled the last few months, dare I say years, at being the kind of Dad that my kids really need.

I have never really thought the two, forgiveness and much love, were connected though. On those days when I hold grudges against kids who don’t listen or are disrespectful, I do notice I get little love in return. But on those “shining moments” when I honest forgive them and express that to them, the response far exceeds what I would expect.

So what I am taking away seems to be that loving and forgiving does return far more love than holding grudge or hiding my feelings. Imagine that, God’s Word applying directly to a situation – duh! of course…

What are your thoughts about parenting and the extent one should forgive their kids even in the face of disrespect?

For me, this applies in my role as a leader at work and at home as a father. I have heard so many times that leaders need to humbly serve as they lead toward a goal or vision. But have we really done that in every area of our lives? Yes we may do that in our Church or Organization but do we apply that same principle in our home as a parent or spouse…

That thought really challenges me and I hope it does for you as well. How well do you do in applying leadership principles in every area of your life? Is it easy or do you struggle there like I do? Thoughts?